Suns narrow coaching search to Cavaliers coaches Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott: Source

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their head-coaching search to two finalists, Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and Cavs assistant coach Jordan Ott, a source briefed on the matter confirmed Monday. ESPN was first to report the Bryant and Ott news.

After dismissing head coach Mike Budenholzer on April 14, owner Mat Ishbia and new general manager Brian Gregory promised a thorough search that produced more than 15 candidates. Ishbia is expected to meet with Bryant and Ott this week. This will mark the franchise’s fourth head coach in as many years.

Bryant and Ott just concluded their first seasons on Kenny Atkinson’s staff in Cleveland, producing an Eastern Conference-best 64 wins before losing to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals. While neither has NBA head-coaching experience, that hasn’t been a roadblock for the Phoenix front office. Coming off the most disappointing season in franchise history, the Suns want to change their identity, focusing more on defense and toughness.

Bryant, 39, has worked in assistant roles with the Utah Jazz (under head coach Quin Snyder) and New York Knicks (under Tom Thibodeau). In Utah, he earned attention for his developmental work with Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap and Donovan Mitchell. He also has worked privately with All-Star guard Damian Lillard.

Ott, 40, got his NBA start working in Atlanta as video coordinator. He later worked for the Brooklyn Nets under Atkinson, Jacque Vaughn and Steve Nash, as well as for the Lakers under Darvin Ham. Like Ishbia and Gregory, Ott also has a Michigan State background, having worked in support roles under coach Tom Izzo. Last year, Ott interviewed for the Charlotte Hornets head-coach opening.

Bryant and Ott advanced from Phoenix’s latest round of interviews, which also included Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, Oklahoma City Thunder assistant Dave Bliss and Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney.

With a nucleus of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Phoenix had the NBA’s highest payroll this season but failed to make even the Play-In Tournament, finishing 36-46. In a news conference after the season, Ishbia promised changes. Two weeks after firing Budenholzer, he promoted Gregory, a college basketball lifer who had worked as the team’s vice president of player programming, to general manager. Long-time GM James Jones shifted to a senior advisory position.

The roster is also expected to change, although given Phoenix’s status as a second-apron team, those moves will likely be complicated. The Suns explored moving Durant at February’s trade deadline and will likely revisit those options. Beal also might be a long shot to return, but his contract (he is owed $111 million over the next two seasons and has a no-trade clause) makes for significant hurdles.

(Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler / Getty Images)

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